Julian Croft

Senior Editor, Art & Criticism

With a distinguished career that began at The Courtauld Institute of Art, Julian Croft has served as a lead critic for major international publications and curated several significant exhibitions on post-war European painting. Prior to joining La Mia Musa, he was a columnist for 'Apollo' magazine, where his annual 'Turner Prize Takedown' was both feared and revered. He is the author of two books, 'The Fallacy of the Frame' and 'After Modernism: A Colder Canvas'. Julian’s work is characterized by its historical depth, unflinching honesty, and a profound skepticism towards fleeting trends.

Expertise

Post-War & Contemporary PaintingArt Market AnalysisCritical TheorySculpture & Installation ArtMuseum StudiesCuratorial Practice

Coverage Areas

The Canvas (Major Gallery Exhibitions)
The Essay (Critical Theory & Art History)
Auction House Previews & Results

Latest Articles

Elegant perfume bottles intertwined with glowing social media icons and abstract data streams, representing the digital strategies of top fragrance brands.
The Profile

Top 10 Fragrance Brands Dominate Social Media With New Digital Strategies

In May, Gucci's fragrance line dominated social media vitality scores, a feat achieved through extensive paid campaigns for major launches.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

A sophisticated art museum interior showcasing contemporary sculpture, with visitors engaging in a high-culture experience sponsored by a luxury brand.
The Salon

Luxury Brands' Art Curation Strategy Will Define Identity by 2026

Louis Vuitton's Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris attracted over 1.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A contemporary art sculpture displayed within a luxury fashion boutique, with a visitor capturing a photo on their smartphone.
The Salon

Contemporary art is reshaping luxury brand identity

At a recent Louis Vuitton exhibition, visitors posed with a branded sculpture for Instagram, largely ignoring the haute couture's historical context.

Jun 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Isaac Mizrahi, Target's new Creative Director at Large, oversees a design session in a modern retail environment.
The Profile

Isaac Mizrahi named Target's first Creative Director at Large

Isaac Mizrahi, a name synonymous with Target's past design triumphs, returns to the retailer not for a new collection, but as its first-ever Creative Director at Large, effective June 15, 2026, accord

Jun 15, 2026 · 2 min read

Nina Dobrev stuns in a sheer, feathered designer gown at the Taormina Film Festival, showcasing a bold new direction for bridal fashion.
The Runway

Nina Dobrev's Sheer, Feathered Look Influences Bridal Fashion

Nina Dobrev arrived at the 72nd Taormina Film Festival in Italy wearing a sheer, feathered two-piece by One/Of by Patricia Voto, totaling nearly $13,000.

Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read

Bernard Arnault paying tribute to David Hockney's art at the Fondation Louis Vuitton following the artist's death.
The Atelier

Bernard Arnault Honors David Hockney at Fondation Louis Vuitton

Just weeks before his major exhibition at the Fondation Louis Vuitton was set to close, iconic British artist David Hockney died at 88, prompting a swift and personal tribute from LVMH chairman Bernar

Jun 13, 2026 · 3 min read

Guests dressed in high fashion admire art at the Royal Academy Summer Party, showcasing a fusion of art and design.
The Profile

British fashion shines at Royal Academy Summer Party

The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition party, traditionally a bastion of fine art, this year saw designer Olivia Ozi‑Oiza Chance debut pieces from her Oiza Studio's spring 2025 collection, signaling a ne

Jun 11, 2026 · 2 min read

FIFA World Cup trophy with an expensive ticket in the foreground, symbolizing high costs and investigation into pricing.
The Atelier

NY, NJ Probe FIFA's World Cup Ticket Costs for Fans

World Cup final tickets in New Jersey are priced from $15,000 and can escalate to $90,000 for field-side access, a situation that has prompted an investigation by state attorneys general.

Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

Users engaging with a luxury brand's AI-powered augmented reality filter on Snapchat, showcasing digital fashion in a futuristic cityscape.
The Profile

Luxury Brands Deepen Social Media Engagement by 2026

In 2026, as Australia bans social media for under-16s and a US court finds Meta and Google liable for addictive algorithms, Gucci launched its 'La Famiglia' AI Lens on Snapchat, transforming users int

Jun 7, 2026 · 3 min read

Extreme close-up of a microscopic sculpture inside a Greubel Forsey watch, visible through a built-in microscope, showcasing unparalleled micro-sculpture craftsmanship.
The Vault

What is micro-sculpture craftsmanship in watchmaking?

Greubel Forsey's Art Piece 1 contains a sculpture so tiny it can fit inside a strand of facial hair, visible only through a microscope built into the watch itself.

Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read

Olivier Rousteing in a high-fashion atelier, surrounded by holographic Balmain and Rabanne logos, representing a new era in luxury fashion.
The Profile

Oliver Rousteing's Rabanne Move Redefines Luxury Fashion's Future

After a fifteen-year tenure transforming Balmain into a commercial powerhouse, Olivier Rousteing's reported next step isn't a new creative directorship but a 'discreet collaboration' with Rabanne, sig

Jun 5, 2026 · 2 min read

The exterior of the new 100Hands store on London's prestigious Savile Row, showcasing its blend of traditional architecture and modern luxury.
The Accessory

100Hands to Open First London Store on Savile Row

A bespoke shirtmaker, 100Hands, whose 435 artisans craft shirts in Punjab, India, will open its first global retail store on London's prestigious Savile Row this fall.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

A sophisticated display of Loewe's iconic leather bags and accessories, emphasizing craftsmanship and luxury, with a subtle backdrop hinting at a star-studded campaign.
The Accessory

Loewe Celebrates 180 Years with Leather Excellence Anniversary Campaign

Loewe, a brand predating the telephone, marks its 180th anniversary with an animated film narrated by Antonio Banderas and a campaign featuring stars from Sissy Spacek to GISELLE.

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

The ultra-thin Piaget x Wristcheck Altiplano Ultimate Automatic watch, a limited edition timepiece with a 4.3mm thickness, displayed elegantly.
The Atelier

Piaget and Wristcheck Unveil Limited-Edition Altiplano Watch

At a staggering 4.3 millimeters thick, the new Piaget x Wristcheck Altiplano Ultimate Automatic is a marvel of ultra-thin engineering. This limited-edition watch, a collaboration according to Hypebeas

Jun 1, 2026 · 2 min read

Marilyn Monroe looking glamorous in a stunning opera coat, evoking old Hollywood elegance and the allure of a bygone era.
The Profile

Marilyn Monroe's opera coat expected to fetch $12K-$18K

An opera coat once owned by Marilyn Monroe is expected to fetch between $12,000 and $18,000 at Bonhams.

May 28, 2026 · 2 min read

A woman on a beach holds a luxury fish-shaped handbag, embodying the summer fashion trend of playful accessories.
The Atelier

Fish-shaped bags swim into summer fashion trend

Vin's 'Fishy' clutch, a handbag shaped like a fish, retails for $625 and is currently sold out across most styles, according to WWD .

May 25, 2026 · 2 min read

Split image: a person rappelling into Antelope Canyon contrasted with a safari group watching wildlife at sunset in Tanzania.
The Accessory

Epic Global Adventures Unfold From Uruguay to Tanzania in 2026

A 70-foot rappel into Antelope Canyon represents a readily available thrill for some luxury travelers, while others commit years in advance, booking flights to Mozambique for £1,365.

May 23, 2026 · 3 min read

A Walmart delivery drone in flight over a neighborhood, symbolizing rapid and efficient delivery services reaching a large portion of the US population.
The Atelier

Walmart's 30-minute delivery reaches 60% of US

Walmart completed its 1 millionth drone delivery during the first quarter, marking a significant operationalization of advanced logistics.

May 22, 2026 · 3 min read

Chase Infiniti models Louis Vuitton's olive green ankle boots and fuzzy plaid top from the Fall 2026 collection at the Cruise 2027 show.
The Atelier

Louis Vuitton Reveals Olive Green Chase Infiniti Boots for 2026

At Louis Vuitton's Cruise 2027 show in New York, Chase Infiniti offered a rare glimpse into the brand's distant future.

May 21, 2026 · 3 min read

VF Corporation's logo illuminated against a vibrant cityscape at sunrise, symbolizing a successful financial turnaround and growth.
The Atelier

VF Corp exceeds expectations, posts first full-year growth

After three years of declining sales, VF Corporation posted its first full-year revenue increase in fiscal year 2026, marking a potential turnaround for the apparel giant.

May 20, 2026 · 3 min read